How to Become a Modern Man (Spanish: Como Dios manda, lit. 'As God Commands')[2] is a 2023 Spanish comedy film directed by Paz Jiménez from a screenplay by Marta Sánchez which stars Leo Harlem alongside María Morales, Daniel Pérez Prada, and Stéphanie Magnin.
| How to Become a Modern Man | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Spanish | Como Dios manda |
| Directed by | Paz Jiménez |
| Screenplay by | Marta Sánchez |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Eva Díaz |
| Edited by | Antonio Frutos |
| Music by | Miguel Rivera |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures España |
Release dates |
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| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
| Box office | €2.1 million[1] |
Plot edit
The plot follows Andrés Cuadrado, an averagely racist, machista and LGBT-phobic "man of order" demoted from his longtime post as a civil servant in the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Equality as a punishment for his bigoted behaviour, thereby grappling with a more diverse working environment under new boss Lourdes and undergoing a re-education in values.[3][4]
Cast edit
- Leo Harlem as Andrés Cuadrado[3]
- María Morales as Lourdes[3]
- Daniel Pérez Prada as Martín[3]
- Stéphanie Magnin as Ana[3]
- Maribel Salas[3] as Nati
- Julián Villagrán as Víctor[3]
- Mariola Fuentes[5]
- Santiago Ugalde[3]
- Pepín Tre[3]
Production edit
The film is an Atresmedia Cine, Áralan Films, and Como Dios manda la película AIE production.[6] Filming locations included Seville and Málaga.[5]
Release edit
The film was presented on 18 March 2013 at the 26th Málaga Film Festival, screening out of competition as the festival's closing film.[7] Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures España,[6] it was released theatrically in Spain on 2 June 2023.
Reception edit
Javier Ocaña of Cinemanía rated the film 2½ stars, considering that while it is dragged in its beginnings by a "stale mise-en-scène", a "more dynamic direction boosted by the good vibes and the (foregone) redemption arc", leaves a smile [on your face] in the last stretch.[4]
Manuel J. Lombardo of Diario de Sevilla rated the film 2 out of 5 stars, considering that "the sociological satire is deflated and padded in favor of good intentions, bemused morals and the family discourse".[5]
Ekaitz Ortega of HobbyConsolas rated the film with 42 points ('bad'), deeming it to be "a film that seeks to learn and laugh at different perspectives of society, from the traditional to the more progressive", but remains a range of stereotypes.[8]
Accolades edit
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024
|
3rd Carmen Awards | Best New Director | Paz Jiménez Díaz | Nominated | [9][10] |
| Best Supporting Actor | Julián Villagrán | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Score | Miguel Rivera | Nominated | |||
| Best Production Supervision | Sandra Rodríguez | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Song | "Soy como soy" by Miguel Rivera | Won | |||
| Best Sound | Antuán Mejías, Jorge Marín | Nominated | |||
| Best Makeup and Hairstyles | Rafael Mora, Anabel Beato | Nominated |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Acumulado cine español 2023" (PDF). Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Rivera, Alfonso (16 May 2023). "Country Focus: Spain". Cineuropa.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Úbeda-Portugués, Alberto (31 May 2023). "Los estrenos del 2 de junio. 'Como Dios manda'. Aprendiendo vida". Aisge.
- ^ a b Ocaña, Javier (29 May 2023). "'Como Dios manda': buena idea que no escapa a la españolada contemporánea". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
- ^ a b c Lombardo, Manuel J. (3 June 2023). "Reeducando al cuñado Harlem". Diario de Sevilla. Grupo Joly.
- ^ a b Sánchez Sequera, Marcos (30 May 2023). "'Como Dios manda' – estreno en cines 2 de junio". Audiovisual451.
- ^ "'Como Dios manda' cierra el Festival de Málaga con una cómica llamada al respeto en una sociedad plural". El Español. 18 March 2013.
- ^ Ortega, Ekaitz (1 June 2023). "Crítica de Como Dios manda: humor de los 90 en 2023". HobbyConsolas.
- ^ "Los Premios Carmen dan a conocer desde Huelva todos los nominados de su tercera edición". Huelva24. Grupo Vocento. 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Palmarés completo de la III edición de los Premios Carmen del Cine andaluz". eldiario.es. 4 February 2024.
